Joel Lukombo

About

Introducing Joel Lukombo, a talented artist born in Kinshasa, in 1995. From a young age, Joel showcased his keen interest in the arts, spending most of his free time drawing deep into the night. This dedicated practice enabled him to distinguish himself within his local community with his sketches and early attempts at caricatures.

Recognizing his talent, his parents guided him towards the Institute of Fine Arts (I.B.A) in Kinshasa, a renowned institution for budding artists. After completing his higher secondary education in Plastic Arts, specializing in painting, he continued his superior studies in the same institution from where he graduated.

Throughout his artistic journey, he encountered numerous fellow artists that enhanced his skills and enriched his experiences. Notably, his time with the established painter Kalama-Henri during his studies allowed him to refine his work by learning from the master.

Joel also apprenticed with artist Mars Muaka to develop his art further and completed his training under the popular artist J.C Lofenia, learning about ideation, composition, and finishing of artworks. Following these experiences, Joel founded his own studio and became a co-founder of the art collective MPIKO, established in 2020.

Initially, Joel utilized whatever resources he had at hand for his artworks. However, he now predominantly uses pens for detailing the motifs in his artworks, which he juxtaposes against backgrounds painted in oil or acrylic. This technique allows his motifs to stand out against intricately embellished backgrounds featuring elements like flowers, lines, and spheres.

Inspired by the daily life in Kinshasa, Joel’s works often focus on themes such as fashion, transportation, leisure, elegant personalities, and portraits. His portrayal of past and present modes and his unique take on “Sape” culture have garnered attention from the public.

Joel’s works have been exhibited at various locations such as the Texaf Bilembo (2018), the French Institute (2019), the Museum of Contemporary and Multimedia Art (2021), and the National Museum (2019) in Kinshasa. Internationally, his works were featured in exhibitions like “We are Congo” in Washington DC, USA (2021), Rumb’art at Wallonie Bruxelles (2022), “The Joy, Beauty, and Genius of Contemporary Congolese Art” and “Georgetown Art All Night” at Gallery Article 15, Washington DC, USA (2022).

Joel’s career is growing impressively, with more projects and exhibitions on the horizon. His unique style and technique have already made a significant mark in the Congolese art scene, and we are thrilled to have him as a part of kitokongo’s artistic family. Stay tuned for more from Joel and his upcoming projects!

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